josko

Much thanks to Will Burgess, who showed me yesterday what the Bahiya can do in 20-25 kts in Woods Hole. I now have a worthy goal to shoot for, and can only hope to grow into this hull.

Lots of good stuff in this thread, and I do appreciate it. Yeah, I HAVE taken a step back in terms of what's comfortable in a boat, in the hope that I'll come out a better paddler because of it. Guess this is what happens when you work with multiple coaches - you get different views and get to pick what works. Right now I feel those footpegs aren't going back. The Bahiya definitely seems more 'settled' with a butt-only connection - wonder how much that has to do with my knees moving from upper to lower deck and lowering the center of gravity?<br /><br />I live in Woods Hole, MA, and get exposure to snooty water; I was out (in the Romany) this past Monday on a flood tide and in some decent wind. I wasn't nearly as daring as I would have been with the knees clamped tight, but feel I'm on the steep part of a learning curve - I just don't know where this learning curve is taking me.<br /><br />Back to the Bahiya - I love the boat for camping, destination day padling (those great forays from Woods Hole to Cuttyhunk and back downwind through the middle of Vineyard sound with the afternoon seabreeze at the back), small-wave surfing (the damn thing pearls on anything bigger than ~4'), I love the way I can lay it over in current shear (really have to watch not to catch one of those big vertical surfaces in an eddy line), but really have a hard time with it in front of breakwaters, generally confused seas, and especially stern-quartering chop. I don't dare go rock-hopping with it.<br /><br />I'm not really sure I should be riding the Bahiya as a rock-hopping hull, but I'm willing to put in the time to grow into the boat. My original question was really about what others felt were the limitations of this boat, and what they do and don't do with it. I've been sorely tempted to ditch it and get a Cetus, but now think this boat has a lot to teach me. I'm becoming intrigued by overcomng its' quirks and am wondering where all the time I'm putting into it is leading me.

Thanks much for all this feedback. I do appreciate it. I train with Greg Paquin, and he emphasizes (I think) a 'tighter' connection with the boat than does John Carmody. My issue was (is?) that in conditions I'd get the boat twitching rapidly from side to side, sort of 'micromanaging' it and trying to muscle it around. So John tried to get me to relax, move my footpegs out, and 'steer the boat with my butt cheeks'. My feet are on the pegs but legs are pretty straight. I can just engage my knees by moving the heels all the way back. I 'see the light' of the new way when trying to calm the Bahiya, but am anything but comfortable with the new stance in conditions.

I did capsize unintentionally in the Bahiya a half dozen times. I normally roll up and it's not a big deal, but is frustrating. This past weekend I ran into some unanticipated rock-hopping opportunities (off Rhode Island), and didn't dare go in close because of my lack of confidence in confused water. I'd love to learn how to get over this issue, as the boat is just so good at the things it does well, that I hate to give up on it.

This is my 3th year in the Bahiya, I had a Nordkapp before it. The Bahiya was my go-to boat before buying a Romany Surf a year ago. Interestingly, i was more comfortable in the Bahiya a year ago than I am now with ~70% of my paddling in the Romany.

I weigh 190-200 lbs, 6'1", and typically have < 10 lbs of gear in the boat. On camping trips with ~50 lbs of gear, the boat is much more stable.

I used to paddle with my thighs braced up hard, but last month took the guide course from Carmody and Wright, and they convinced me to move the footpegs out and have no contact between the knees and boat. I'm now adapting my new stance to the Bahiya, and it's looking very promising.

I'm trying to get used to my Bahiya, and I'd appreciate feedback from those with time in it. Overall, I love the boat for distance paddling, calm water, current and downwind surfing, but it's giving me a hard time in confused water, clapotis and stern-quartering chop. In those conditions I seem to lose all primary stability and have to rely on bracing to stay afloat. I'm working on relaxing my stance, and it's helping, but to me, it seems like a very twitchy boat in confused, rough water. It's pitched me off more than once.

Is it me, or is it a boat design feature? What can i do to accomodate this twitchiness?

Thanks in advance

Curious where you're hiking. I've hiked most of the Croatian coastal range.

Pete is an NDK sponsored paddler. I'd try to reach him via info at seakayakinguk dot com. John is at john at seacliffkayakers dot com.

The Elafiti tend to be a 'dumping ground' for cruise ship passengers who want to do a 'kayak activity' while their cruise ship is docked in Dubrovnik. I've seen as many as six large cruise ships at anchor between Dubrovnik and Lokrum. The resulting zoo is not to be underestimated.

When are you going? Crowds are at their peak in July and August; September and October are probably the nicest months to kayak, with May a close second. Crowds start to build in June.

Hi,

I am Croatian and intimately familiar with the Adriatic, although I've never paddled it. I do encounter large groups of paddling tourists being generally herded around various destinations with mediocre or poor gear and guidance, and would agree with your need to search for references.

John Carmody was just mentioning a contact in Croatia with a store of high end (NDK?) kayaks and what seemed like a competent outfitter. Last fall at the Gales, Peter Jones was also telling me of a collaboratioon with a Croatian outfitter that sounded top notch. I know Pete has gone to Croatia to guide trips. I'm sorry I don't remember the names of either outfitter, but would suggest following up with John and Pete.

Meanwhile, I'd be glad to answer any questions about the area. You might know the area around Dubrovnik is a bit 'boring' and exposed. Dubrovnik itself is a mega tourist trap. However, Mljet national park is <50 miles away and a stupendous paddling destination. As far as I'm concerned the best paddling destinations are the Kornati national park and the area near the island of Vis. Mljet, Kornati or Vis will all take your breath away.

John Carmody had one in stock for me.

Thanks Guys,

I'd love to buy the Reed Chillcheater if i can find one in stock somewhere this weekend. So far, I found the Kokatat Tropos version at KTP and will pick it up tomorrow unless I can find the Reed or Kokatat Gore Tex version somewhere.

Can anyone comment on the differences between Tropos and Gore Tex in the Kokatat line?

Would anybody know of a store in New England that carried Kokatat Gore Tex Cags in stock?

Is there any definitive information on whether the Portland ferry will be running by then?

BCU 4* sea

I think this is all about the paddle slipping through the water. For each stroke, the amount of work done moving the boat forward is force(of the paddle) * distance the boat moves during that stroke. The work done by the paddler is force * distance that the paddle moves. During mormal paddling (and let's forget wing blades) the paddle slips through the water, so the distance travelled by the paddle is greater than the distance travelled by the boat. So the paddler is putting work both into moving the boat forward and into making the paddle slip through the water.

If we assume a pole is same as the paddle with zero slip velocity, then using poles will be more efficient than using paddles.

Now if we are paddling downcurrent, (and pole slip is less than the current) then the current is doing work to help the paddler along, and using a paddle is more efficient than using a pole anchored to the bottom.